conception of life which divides its activities by hard and fast lines,
and tends, by that process of hardening which shows itself in every field
of thought or work, to make men tools and machines instead of free,
creative forces in society.

A man of original power can never be confined within the limits of a
single field of interest and activity, nor can he ever be content to bear
the marks and use the skill of a single occupation. He cannot pour his
whole force into one channel; there is always a reserve of power beyond
the demands of the work which he has in hand at the moment. Wherever he
may find his place and whatever work may come to his hand, he must always
be aware of the larger movement of life which incloses his special task;
and he must have the consciousness of direct relation with that central
power of which all activities are inadequate manifestations. To a man of
this temper the whole range of human interests must remain open, and such
a man can never escape the conviction that life is a unity under all its
complexities; that all activities stand vitally related to each other;
that truth, beauty, knowledge, and character must be harmonised and
blended in every real and adequate development of the human spirit. To the
growth of every flower earth, sun, and atmosphere must contribute; in the
making of a man all the rich forces of nature and civilisation must have
place.




Chapter II

The Man in the Work